Central Tibet
18th century
The hands form the shape of a wheel, symbolizing the “turning of the wheel of dharma,” a reference to teaching the Buddha’s doctrine.
Central Tibet
18th century
Rinchen Gyeltsen was the second leader, or Throne Holder, of Menri Monastery, the seat of the Bon religion in Central Tibet. He took on this position after the monastery’s founder (and Rinchen Gyeltsen’s teacher) died in 1415. Here Rinchen Gyeltsen is depicted as a fully ordained monk, wearing the distinctive lotus-shaped hat of the Bon tradition. The face of this portrait is sensitively handled, giving him a gentle expression.The lengthy dedication written in verse on the back of the statue states it continues Rinchen Gyeltsen’s activity, suggesting this portrait may have been made to commemorate the lama’s death (ca. 1446–1447). The base of the sculpture is sealed with a yundrung, one of the main symbols of Bon.
The hands form the shape of a wheel, symbolizing the “turning of the wheel of dharma,” a reference to teaching the Buddha’s doctrine.
Also known as vajra position, this posture is associated with meditation.
The passing down of authentic Buddhist teachings from a teacher to a disciple or student, often in the form of a text in a ritualistic context.
The transmission of teachings from one generation to the next, from teacher to student, traced all the way back to the Buddha without interruption. A complete lineage is essential in Tantric Buddhist practices as it makes the blessings of the teaching more powerful.
Himalayan art includes portraits of legendary and historical humans, including accomplished religious teachers (lamas), the Buddha’s original disciples (arhats), and spiritually accomplished tantric masters (mahasiddhas).
Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.
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